RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet...

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TIE GEPEWL BOARD United States Farces, European Theatzr . i.. . i'&I.SSI:ON: Prepare Seport and Rccomandations of Changes Considarsd Nocossary in the Doctrinc, Organiza- tion and Equipment of Chenicnl Snoko Generator Units. Thc Gmcral Board was cstablishcd by G3nzral Orders 128, Ilcudqunrtcrs European Thcater of Operntions, US Army, dated 17 Juno 1945, as amendLd by Gcnsrrl Orders lG2) datad 7 August 1945 and Gsncrctl Orders 312 dntcd 80 Novmber 1945, Hcadqunrters United Strhcs Forces, European Thcator, to pruparo a fQCtUnl nnolysis of tho strategy, tactic3 and odministrcAtion omploycd by the Unitid StCtGs forces in tila Surcpean Theator. Study mbcr 69

Transcript of RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet...

Page 1: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

TIE GEPEWL BOARD

United S t a t e s Farces, European Theatzr . i . ..

i'&I.SSI:ON: Prepare Seport and Rccomandat ions of Changes

Cons ida r sd Nocossary in t h e Doct r inc , Organiza-

t i o n and Equipment of Chenicnl Snoko G e n e r a t o r

Uni t s .

Thc G m c r a l Board was c s t a b l i s h c d by G3nzral Orders 128, I lcudqunr tc rs European Thcater of Opernt ions, US Army, d a t e d 1 7 Juno 1945, as amendLd by G c n s r r l Orde r s l G 2 ) da t ad 7 August 1945 and Gsncrctl Orders 312 d n t c d 80 Novmber 1945, Hcadqunr te rs United S t r h c s Forces, European Thcator, t o p r u p a r o a fQCtUnl nnolys is of t h o s t r a t e g y , t a c t i c 3 and odminis t rcAt ion omploycd by t h e U n i t i d StCtGs forces i n tila Surcpean Theator.

Study m b c r 69

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TABLE 07 CONTENTS

PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

Chapter I Process of' Study . , . , . . , , . , . 1

S e c t i o n I Committee ulembership , . , , . , . . 1 s e c t i o n I1 S p e c i a l Conferences. , , , , , . . , .

PART TWO

REVIEW OF TIf lxLOYMEWT OF ShlOKF, GENEFLATOR UNITS, EUROPEAN THEATER CAMP-4IGN '

Chapter I

S e c t i o n I Genoral N i s s ion . . , , , , . . , . . 3 3 . . . . . . . 4

S e c t i o n I1 A n t i a i r c r a f t Smoke Miss ions , , , , , , S e c t i o n TI1 T a c t i c a l Smoke Miss ions , S e c t i o n I V

Chap te r I1

S e c t i o n I Genera l , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 S e c t i o n I1 T a c t i c s of woke . . . . . . . . . . . 6

S e c t i o n V Supply of Saoka Ganera to r Units. . . . 10

C h a p t e r I Necess i ty f o r Smoke G e n e r a t o r U n i t s . 13

13

Chap te r I1

1 3

18

20

S e c t i o n I D i s c u s s i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S e c t i o n I Discuss ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S e c t i o n I Discuss ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C h a p t e r I V Chapter v Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . .

'

Miss ions of Smoke and Smoke Genera tc r Un i t s , . , . , , . . , , , 3

Secondary Miss ions of Smoke Genera tor Un i t s , . . . , . . , . 5

T a c t i c s of Smoke and Smoke Genera tor Un i t s . . . . . . . . . . . 5

S s c t i o n 111 S e c t i c n IV

T a c t i c s of Smoke Generator Units . , . 7 Cont ro l of' Smoke . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

PdRT THREZ

COMMITTEE REPORT

Organiza t ion and Employment of Smoke Genere tor U n i t s . . , . , , . , 13

C h a p t e r 111 Improvement and Development of Smoke Genera tors . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Conclusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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THE GENERAL BOARD UTJITEE STATES FORCES, XTJROP-TAtJ TIlEATER

?ART 0.m INTROUUCTI0s 5

CHAPTER I

PROC3SI; OF STUDY

SECTION I

-CO?IlITTEB M E U 3 E R S ~

a. P e m a n e n t Nembers :

co lone i H G r a C e r f . voociward, Jr, , 010188,mrs ( Chairman C o l o n e l Char l e s J. Norman, 0217653, GSC C o l o n e l P3Ersh;ll S t u b b s , 017706, cT.'IS Lieu tenan t Colonel Char l c s 5. Vance, 0118125, C.fLC L ieu tenan t Coloiiel W i l l h m 11, Fiske, 0203617 , CWS L ieu tenan t Colonel I r a B. R icha rds , Jr . , 022639, GSC L i e u t e n a n t Colonel E&mrd J. % i t c l e y , 024627 , Mod L ieu tenan t Colonel John A. B l i l l e r , 0320293, CE Major Edward L. L a s l i e , 01550211, Crd I:ujor John R. Bammond, 01633252, Sig

b. P r i i i c i p a l Consu l t an t s :

Ec igad io r Genera l Hugh #. Rowan, Cb ic f C h e m i c a l Off lcdr , European Theslter o f O p e r a t i o n s

Br igad ie r Genera l C. H. ,",rmstrong, Ch io f , !'&tiair-c r a f t A r t i l l e r y S e c t i o n , G a n c r a l Board I E u r o p c mThcntor of Opera t ions

L i c u t m a n t Colunol Richard Now". , CommandingOfficer, 25 Chemical Smoke G e n a r r t o r R a t t a l i on

Major Eober t H. Kennedy, Commanding Officer, 27 Chemical Smoke Gcnorntor E u t t u l i c n

Cap ta in M. VI. KAne, Commonfling O f f i c o r , 79 Choril icul Snoko Gonora to r Company

Cap ta in K. a. i h g o r , CoPmanding Officer, 80 Chcraicul Smoke Ganara t .or Company

Cciptcin L. H. S h w , Co.manding Off icer , 8 3 Chonicnl Snoke G e n e r a t o r Co.Tpcny

Capta in J. L. Dav i s , Commanding Officer, 8 7 Chcniical Shcko Gonerut o r Conpany

C a p t a i n C . D. Onderwcod, CorrLrlanding O f f i c o r , 1 6 1 C h s i i c u l Smke Gens ra to r Corlpony

Cap ta in J. S. Zolsor', Cowanding Officer, 165 Chum-i c a l Snnke Gcnx-ntor Conpany

Gap%zin R. J. F o l t z , Comanding Officer, 1 6 7 Chon-i c a l . Snolco Gonora tor Colrpeny

C c p t a i n M. H. Turner, Connunding Gf f i cc r , 1 6 2 Chor.1-i c a l Smoke Genera to r Ccnpany

F i r s t ' L iou tonan t 1'1. Re Mitchell, Cormxiding @ f f i c c r , 8 2 Chenj.cal Sncke GoncrGtor Gcmpany

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F i r s t Lieutenant C . S. Levy, Commanding O f f i c e r , 84 Chomi c a l Smoke Generator Company

F i r s t Lieutenant J. E. King, Commanding O f f i c e r , 8 5 Chemical Smoke Generator Conpany

SECTION I1

SPBCIAL COKFEFGNCES

1. Conferencos were held with Brigadier Gonerul HughW, Rowan, Chiof Chemical O f f i c e r , Zuropenn Theater of Opdr-a t i o n s ; Br igadier Generc l C. :I. Arffistrong, Chief, A n t i a i r -c r a f t A r t i l l e r y S e c t i o n , The General Board, European Thcntcr of Operc t ions , and with s p e c i f i c i n d i v i d u e l s who were commnnd-i n g o f f i c e r s of chemical smoke genera tor b a t t a l i o n s and cempenlas dur ing t h e European Theater Cmpaign cnd who are l i S t Q d i n t h i s r epor t as P r i n c i p a l Consxl tcnts . (So0 P a r t one, ChLpter I , Scot ion I b ) .

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-- PART TWO

CEiAPTER I

MISSI0I"S OF SMOKE AND SM'CIICE GENERATOR UNITS

SECTION I

GENERAL MISSION

2. G e n e r a l l y s t a t e d , the mission of smoke, o r a r t i f i c i a l f o g , i s t o concea l an o b j e c t or a c t i v i t y from enemy o b s e r v a - t i o n and t h u s p r o t e c t i t from t h e e f f e c t s of enemy weapons d i r e c t e d towards i t s d e s t r u c t i o n . The mission of c h e m i c e l smoke g e n e r a t o r u n i t s is t o r e l e a s e smoke from p o s i t i o n sw i t h i n O U T l i c e s s o thcit it obscures t h e o b j e c t t o be pro -t e c t e d .

SECTION I1

ANTIA IRCHAFT SbfOICC XISSIONS

3 . The m i s s i o n of a n t i a i r c r n f t smoke i s t o o b s c u r e a n o b j e c t o r B T 8 8 on t h e e a r t h ' s sur face f rom enemy a e r i a l o b s e r -v a t i o n t h u s prevent in@ p r e c i s i o n bombing and f i r a f i n g . T h i s i s t h e t y p e o f m i s s i o n f o r which o u r p r e s e n t smoke g e n e r a t o ru n i t s were designed. A s t u d y o f t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f c h e m i c a l smoke g e n e r a t o r companies and b a t t a l i o n s i n the EuropeanT h e a t e r o f Opera t jons i n d i c a t e s t h a t a n t i a i r c r a f t smoke mis-s i o n s i n r e a r a r e a s were i n t h e minor i ty , (Refersnce : 1).The 25 Smoke Genera tor B a t t a l i o n operfitcd wi th t h e 50 AAA B r i g a d e i n t h e defense of POZTU?,'3 and YiJTYItOLlTF h a r b o r , i n S o u t h e r n England, f o r s e v e r a l months. l'he smoke de fense a t t h i s i n s t a l l a t i o n WEIS h i g h l y e f f e c t i v e accordinp t o B r i g a d i e rG e n e r a l C. H. Armstrong and L i e u t t n a n t Colonel R i c h a r d Newman. The 23 Smoke Genera tor B a t t a l i o n a r r i v e d i n France on 9 June 1944 t o provide m t i a i r c r a f t snoxe p r o t e c t i o n f o r t h e a r t i f i -o i a l p o r t a t OMAPI BEACP. Thi:, o rganiza t ion was n e v e r c a l l e d upon t o perform t h i s miss ion . (Referenae: 2). On ar r iva l i n W s n c e , t h e 25 Smoke Genera tor B a t t a l i o n was a s s i g n e d an t i -a i r o r a f t smoke missions a t VEXINS EAM and FORTPWAULT where it was deployed b u t never c a l l e d upon t o smoke, a c c o r d i n g t o L i e u t e n a n t Colonel Richard Newman, The 82 Smoke G e n e r a t o r Company and 87 Smoke Generf l tor Company opera ted with f o u r B r i t i s h smoke companies u n d e r British c o n t r o l e t t h e p o r t of /,"TWERP, BELGIUN for s e v e r a l months, (Rcference: 1& 3 ) .

4. A n t i a i r c r a f t smoke missions under t a c t i c a l c o n d i t i o n s and i n c l o s e proximi ty t o enemy p o s i t i o n s , were performea byt h e 84 Smoke Genera tor Company and 1 6 1 Smoke G e n e r a t e r Company a t MPYENNE nnd U V J L i n August , 1944. (Reference: 2 & 4).From September, 1944, t o t h e end of t h e war i n Europe t h e smoke miss ion executed by smoke genera tor units were all of e. t a c t i c a l n g t u r e , a l though i n a few fns tenccs there was e secondary a n t i a i r c r a f t miss ion .

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SECTION I11

TJ.CTIC1.L SRWKE RIISSIONS

5. The miss ion of smoke i n t a c t i c a l s i t u n t i o n s is to obscure an o b j e c t , m a a o r a c t i v i t y on t h e e e r t h ' s sur fece from enemy t e r r e s t r i a l o b s e r v a t i o n rind prevent observed or di -ec t f i r s of h i s ground weopons egai l ls t t h e ter-e e t . Ey v i r t u e o r t h a l o r g e number of x i s s i o n s of t h i s tjrpenliich W e r E sxecut-d by smoke g s n s r s t o r Companies, t h e t z o - t i c a l smoke miss ions w e n of t h a g r e c t s s t imgortencc,

a - mPloYment O f chcmicel smoke genero tor companias i n t z c t i c n l s i t u c t i o n s wss i n i t i a t e d by T h i r d United States Army i n September 194.4,when t h e 84 Chenical Smoke GbnergtorCompnny W:?S u s e d , t o S G r e C n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of E briugs. =cross t h e NOSC18LE RIVER a t LRN?.VILIE, FRI.PJCZ, W7547, (Refs renoe: IC k 5 ) . Throughout t h e remainder of tht! war i n EuroDs, t h i s V I F S t h e prcdomjmt ing miss ion for smoke compcnies. I ts suc -c e s s f u l exccut ion mado the c o n s t r u c t i o n of heavy b r i d g e s p o s s i b l e E t en e c r l i e r phase of r i v e r orossing o p e r a t i o n s and thus speedod t h e support of ermor and h e m y E r t i l l e r y end f c c i l i t e t e d s u u p l y of tile f o r c e s in the bridgehecds.

b. fmothsr t y p e of mission performed ky t h e smoke g e n e r a t o r ' compenies WOS t h e screening of t r o o p movements on t h e b s t t l e f i e l d . J! eood exemple appears i n t h e operp t ion of a d e t e c h a s n t o f t h e 168 Smoke Generator Compeny, which sup-por ted t r o o p s of t h o 3 T n f e n t r y Divis ion i n reducing ldaginot f o r t s n e a r MUTZIG i n Dccember of 1944, (Reference: 6 ) .

c. I n F e b r w r y 1945, t h e 162 Smoke C-maretor Conpany,o p e r E t > l n g i n t h e v i c i n i t y of FREREMERSDORF, Q29, en6 bECKERN, a 9 , e s t a b l i s h e d e screen f o r t h e primery purpose of drawingf i r e and t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e enemy away from s n o t h s r localitywhere t h e i r p r i n c i p e l o p e r a t i o n took p lace . (Reference: 4 ) .A v s r i c t i o n of' t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n of smoke is i t s use \ )ho l ly t o draw a r t i l l e r y fire znd t h u s cause t h e enemy t o & i s c l o s e t h e l o c e t i o n s of' h i s weapons,

d. The exemples of t a c t i c a l smoke miss ions c i t e d above do n o t exheust t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r employment o f smoke g e n e r a t o r u n i t s i n b 6 t S l e f i e l d s i t u a t i o n s . The s o l e l i i u i t e -t i o n s i n t h i s respec t c r e t The b a s i c requirement t h e t t h e smoke positions must be w i t h i n ou r l i n e s ; t h e s i t u z t i o n mus t permi t adequate supply of smoke m a t e r - i d s ; and t h e c o m e n a e r of t h e suppor ted t roops n u s t hive a n open mind and vision t o ncce_ot a meens of a i d i n g h i s t r o o p s t o zccomplish t h e i r m i s -s i o n w i t h minimutr. c a s u a l t i e s end equipment l o s ses ,

e , I n 811 of t h e o p e r a t i o n s of chemicel Smoke gener -a t o r comprnies, Iviechanicel Smoke Generetors , o r iv12, heve besn t h e pr imrry smoke p r o 2 u c i q mems. On s a v e r u l o c c a s i o n s , however, heve been s u b s t i t u t e d f o r t h e mechanical g e n o r e t o r s . he rensons f o r t h i s s u b s t i t u t i o n weye t h e need f o r s i1en-e i n e b i l i t y t o reech smoke p o i n t s wi th t r a n s - P o r t F t i o n so to supply t h e r e q u i r e d q u e n t i t i e s of fog O i l *

potsheve p roven to be s a t i s f e e t o r y i n t h i s employ-The ment, find t h e i r r i t e t i n ! q u a l i t y Of t h e HC smoke has bean b o t h F.dvFlntaeeotls2 n d disadvsnteFeOUS. In i t s o p e r 2 t i o n ~i n support of ROE^. ~ 1 1 3 ~ t h e X I T I CorPs, a detach-crossings of ment of the 7& Smoke Generator COmDBnY used. Mb pots, ana it is repor ted t h c t a l m g e p a r t Of EErrisont h e G e r ~ ~ c n

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obtndoned t h e i r p o s i t i o n s uue t o the i r r i t a t i o n caused by t h e smoke, (Reference1 7 ) . I n o t h e r ins tcnoes where HC smoke muni t ions were employed t o s c r e e n br idge c o n s t r u c t i o n , t h e smoke c?~used some i n t e r f e r e n c e with the work of t h e e n g i n e e r t r o o p s because of i t s i r r i t a t i n g q u a l i t i e s , (Reference: 8 ) .

SECTION Ili

SECONDiBY M I S S I O N S OF SMOKE GENERATOR UZJITS

6 , There wsre p e r i o d s during t h e war i n Europe when t h e r e was l i t t l e o r no demmend f o r smoke. The personnel and equipment of smoke b e t t e l i o n s End companies were n o t was ted a t t h o s e t i m e s , bu t were d i v e r t e d t o secondary m i s s i o n s a c c o r d -i n g t o t h e i r c o p o b i l i t i e s . (Reference2 2 & 9).

7 , I n many CEISSS t h e employment o f smoke g e n e r a t o r o r g a n i z a t i o n s on sezon6ary miss ions hed a profound e f f e c t on t h e i r m a i l a b i l i t y snd r e a d i n e s s t o perform t h e i r p r imsrym i s s i o n , IJsually i t was necessary t o turn i n , o s s t o r e , t h e i r smoke g e n e r a t o r s End o t h e r equipment not r e q u i r e d t o perform t h e i r ess igned miss ion s o t h e t v i h l c l e s would be e v e i l a b l e and personnel not burdened with chre and mnir,tenenc e o f impedimente f o r which t h e y hod no inmediate use, This caused s e r i s u s d e l e y s i n p r e p c r i n g f o r snoke oper6t ions. Some organ- i z a t i o n s which were committed t o secondary miss ions i n t h e commnica t ions zone were not re leased when t h e r e was a need f o r them i n 'the e r n i e s t o perform smoke missions. During t h e l a t t e r p m t of Merch 1945, i t was proposed t h e t o t h e r Chemical Worfnre Serv ice t r o o p s be converted t o smoke g e n e r a t o r u n i t s t o meet t h e es t imated future needs of t h e erfiiies whi le s i x coxpanies w w e being employed on seeonaery missions, (Ref-e r e n c e : 2 ) . The i n s u f f i c i e n c y of smoke genera tor companies i n t h e armies was, i n p a r t , responsible f o r t h e p r a c t i c e of breeking companLes up i n t o a m 1 1 detachments, sometimes w i d e l y d i s p e r s e d , fsr smoke opesa t icns . T h i s pluced a burden o f supply and a d a i n i s t r t l t i o n on t h s companies for which t h e y were n c t deeigne6 and added n;ucll t o t h e i r d i f f i c u l t i e s .

CHAPTER I1

SECTION I

GENERIL

8. (This d i s c u s s i o n i s based on a s tudy of a v n i l e b l e o p e r a t i o n r e p o r t s cf smoke u n i t s and experiences o f L i e u t e n a n t Cclonel Fiske End t h e 23 Chemical Smike Generator B a t t a l i o n ) ,Tho t e c t i c s of m t i o l r c r f i f t snake and t h e o p e r a t i n g p r c c e d u r e s of smoke c a p n n i e s prc Gdequately Set fGr th i n F i e l d Manual 3 - 5 0 , "Largo Area S m k e Screening", In t h e e x e c u t i m o f a n t i -e i r c r o f t smoke miss ions i n t h o European TheEter of O p e r a t i c n s ,t h e procedures c u t l i n e d i n t h i s manual hnve been f c l l o w e d q u i t e c l o s e l y . Hohever, t h e r e is no publ ished d o c t r i n e t o g u i d e smoke u n i t s i n performing t a o t i c e l smcke m i s s i c n s o r t o provide i n f o r m t i m t o t h e comclonders nf suppor ted u n i t s r c l - t i v e t o t h e c e p o b i l i t i e s and l i m i t a t i o n s 3f smoke e n d smoke genera tor units. The procedures t h o two t y p e s of srioke o p e r e t i o n s d i f f e r somewhat , and t h e w d i f f e r e n c s s fire p o i n t 0 6 out i n t h i s c h a p t e r .

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-- SECTION I1

T!,CTICS OF 0:OiCE

9 . P lacenent of t h e screen . Since the purpose o f stclke is t o p r e v e n t Gbservoticn, it is obvious t h a t t h e screen s h r u l d be pieced between t h e Gbject t a b e cbscured ana t h e enemy o b s e r v a t i o n pc in t . Screening i s ROE e f f e c t i v e when t h e smoke Gnvelopes t h e enemy, but t h i s placerdent i s u s u c i l y beycnd t h e c e p a b i l i t i e s 3f smoke generetor organizRt i ns . I n o n t i a i r c r a f t scicke nissicns, t h e screen must CDvEr t h e a re8 o r o b j e c t l i k e n blanket l n x d e r t o cone between t h a enemy o b s e r v a t i o n poin ts and t h e a r e a ur a c t i v i t y which we do n o t went 'the enemy t o s e e . Thus, i n r e e s m a b l y level t e r r c i n ,i t is n o t necessary f o r b u r fo rces t o be envelcped i n sncke I n crder t o prevent t e r r e s t r i a l jbaerva t icn . Khen t h i s nethcci i s p r a c t i c o b l e , it has t h e zdvsntcge of p e m i t t l n g o u r a c t i v -i t y t o be c a r r i e d cut i n en m e a f r e e of smoke, t h u s h a s t e n i n gi t s conclusicK and n i n i n i z i n g t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e ts i t caused by poor v i s i b i l i t y . Screens of t h i s type shculd nc,t be t w olcse t o t h o screened o b j e c t o r f i r e d i r e c t e d c t t h e s c r e e n will heve e f f e c t on our a c t i v i t y , I n s;me l o c a l i t i e s , c.f which t h e upper Rhine River V b l l e y i s t y p i c c l , d n m y obser-v a t i o n p o i n t s may be in pos i t ions comparable t o t h a t o f 6n a i r observer . Since t h e smoke cannot always be depended upon t o r i s e h i g h enough so t h a t the enemy observer o a m o t see over t h e t o p of t h e s c r e e n ana i n t o t h e area t o be obscured, i t may be necessary t o envelop o u r a c t i v i t y i n smoke.

10. I n near ly every s i t u a t i o n the commarder hes t h 6 choice of using one l a r g e screen o r severa l s m a l l ones. This i s t r u e i n both a n t i a i r c r a f t and t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s . Gere-f u l c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h i s p o s s i b i l i t y in a n t i a i r c r a f t sit-u a t i o n s h a s r e s u l t e d in the d o c t r i n e being e s t e b l i s h a d t h a t wi th a g i v e n number of smoke t r o o p s ava i lab le , it i s u s u z l l yb e t t e r t o employ a l l on one l a r g e screen r a t h e r t h a n e s t a b - l i s h decoy screens. I n t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s , smoke u s u a l l y drews t h e f i r e of enemy ground weapons. S m a l l s c r e e n s s e r v e t o mark, w i t h 8 f a i r degree of p r e c i s i o n , t h e scene of our a c t i v i t y , snd so a re l i k e l y t o drnw.intense and r c t h e r occur-a t e f i r e , The l o r g e s c r e e n , on the other hand, e s p e c i a l l y i f wel l p l a c e d , covers such a le rge e r e a of p o s s i b l e c c t i v i t y On our p a r t t h a t the enemy may consider i t a waste of zmmunition t o f i r e i n t o I t s t a l l , because o f h i s doubt t h a t he will hit anything p r o f i t a b l e . As an example, a l e r g e smoke screen designed t o p r o t e c t t a c t i c u l b r idge c o n s t r u c t i o n should be s e v e r a l thousand yards in length , and SeVtirsl p o s s i b l e con-s t r u c t i o n s i t e s should be included within the a r e a o f t h e screen , If t h e r e i s o n l y one poss ib le crossing s i t e , it i s l i k e l y th: t t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of t h e s c r e e n w i l l be g r e c t l y reduced, beceuse of thg enemy knowing t h t t h i s p e r t i c u l s r p o i n t is t h e scene of our ~ o t i v i t y , c6n p l a c e e f f e c t i v e un- observed f i r e ~t t h e cons t ruc t ion s i t e . However, observed end d i r e c t f i r e would be denied t o the enemy,

11. Time of development o f t h e screen . '&hen t o s t a t srcoking is an equal ly importcnt f x t o r i n t h e t o c t i c s of srroke. I n a n t i a i r c r a f t smoke operc t ions i t i s n e c e s s z r y t h i t t h e screen be f u l l y developed before t h e enemy 6ir e t t s c k be-gins . I n t a c t i c a l smoke opera t ions t h e enemy should be d e n i e d ObservRtion of t h e arep. before ou r a c t i v i t i n t h a t a r e e com-mences. If t h i s is not done, theenemy hag D chance t o l e 6 r n V ~ g o i n gS o n , know i ts p r e c i s e l o c r t i o n and make a c c u r -a t e ed jus tments of h i s wea_oons on poin ts i n t h e m e a . He c a n

Page 9: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

t h e n , even though he k t e r i s n o t able t o s e e t h e a rea , p l a c eI -ccura te f i r e s which w i l l s e r i o u s l y hamper OUT a c t i v i t y end p o s s i b l y prevent i t s compleTion. Smoke coverage i s n o t i n -s t m t n n e o u s , but r e q u i r e s from 1 5 minutes t o h a l f a n hour , Fnd sometimes more, t o cmnplstely cover the flrea t o be s c r e e n -ed. T h i s has 3t t i m e s been a source of t rouble t o smoke u n i t cc;a"nders. The commander of t h e supporc,ed uni t w i l l i n s t r u c t t h e smoke u n i t commander t o s t a r t smoking a t a s p e c i f i e d t h e , end l e t e r i t is l e s r o d thEt t h e supported uni t commmder wsnted t h e screen fully developed a t t h a t time.

SECTION 111

TACTICS O~SIflOICEGEbTERATQR UNITS

12, The t a c t i c s employed by smoke genera tor u n i t s a r e i n f l u e n c e d by t h e n e t u r e of t h e i r mission. In any smoke oper-a t i o n irivolving smoke g e n o r a t o r cimpsnies, it i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t p r o v i s i c n be n&de t o accomplish t h e smoke miss ic r , w i t h m y wind d i r e c t i - n , I n z n t i a i r c r a f t smoke o p e r e t i w s , t h i s ,

i s done by heving a smoke c i r c u i t , c r s e r i e s of smcke g e n e r - e t o r p o s i t i c i i s , surrounding t h e s i t e t o be screened. However, o n l y t h c s o p o s i t i o n s which Ere r e q u i r e d f o r a g i v e n wind d i r e c t i o n a r e occupied a t any ..ne time, Should. t h e wind d h e c t i m chmnge, s u b d i v i s i c n s i.f the smoke o r g a n i z a t i m a r e mcved t 3 new p c ; s i t i i n s . This procedure i s p o s s i b l e i n most a n t i a i r c r c f t m i s s i m s i f t h e rosdnet i s fevorebie a n d t h e a c t i v i t y i s not i n c l o s e proximity t c enemy l i n e s a n d t h u s exposed t c . f i r 3 o f ground weapons, I n t a c t i c a l m i s s i o n s , t h e n e p r n e s s cf the enemy p r e c l u d e s m a v a e n t of e lements o f t h e smvke genera tor c r g s n i z a t i o n t o ccmpenscte f o r changes i n wind d i r e c t i o n . Therefore , t h e u s u e l p r a c t i c e is t s emplace g e n e r c t o r s cnd s u p p l i e s a t t h e . ind iv idua l p o s i t i o n s i n t h e smolte c i r c u i t . Coverage w i t h a n y wind Gir6ct ion i s t h e n accomplished by s t a r t i n g up 3r s h u t t h g down a p p r o p r i a t e gen- e r c t m e . The e n t i a i r c r a f t smke c i r c u i t i s u s u e l l y l o c E t c d cne t o cne ond P ho l f m i l e s upv~ir-d c f t h e v i t a l p o i n t t o be screened. With g e n e r a t o r s ( N i l t y p e ) space a t 100 t o 1 5 0 y a r d s i n t e r v c l s , t h e smoke r i s e s and beccmes l e s s dense by t h e t i m e it reaches t h e a r e a t o be p r o t c c t e d . This behavior of t h e smoke r e s u l t s i n minimum i n t e r f e r e n c e t o t r a f f i c ffiove-ment and c t h e r impoztant groand a c t i v i t y i n t h e p r o t e c t e d erw. Tnct icn l smolts c i r c u i t s a r e u s u a l l y n o t more t h a n 500 yards upwind of t h e Eirei. o r o b j e c t $3 be Gbscured End so i t i s necessary t o h n e l e s s i n t e r v s l between g m o r n t o r s t o a s s u r e t h o t a screer. i s formec, frau t h o g e n e r a t m smcke trail 's . Genern tcr spacing i n t h e s e s i t u a t i o n s has vasied frcln 40 t o 150 y a r d s with M2 g e n e r a t o r s . F a c t c r s c o n t r o l l i n g t h e s p e c - i n g of g e n e r a t o r s i n both e n t i e i r c r a f t and t e c t i c a l s i t u z t i o n s a m t e r r a i n wind speed end u i r e c t i o n , end a i r t u r b u l e n c e . U s u a l l y i t i s d e s i r a b l e t o l i m i t t h e e f f e c t i v e range of smoke s c r e e n so FS ti! minimi'ze t h e Barger c f i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h o p e r - a t i o n s . T h i s i s f r e q u e n t l y d l f f i c u l t to Rccomplish w i t h gen-e r a t o r s i.n which t h e smoke output car.not be v a r i e d .

13: Reconnaissance p d , p e p a r a t i o n of t h e p l a n , As in all n i l i t r r y o p e r n t i m s , it i s s s s e n t i a l t h a t t h e smoke unit csnmenCer prepare t: p l a n for t h e snoke opere t ion . T h i s plani n t h e r e s u l t G f hl.s knewledge of t h e supported u n i t ' s m i s -s i c n , t h e Li i ss ion a s s i g n e d him by t h e ccronnnLer of . the sup-porter: u n i t and h i s recnnnaissance of t h e arei! i n w h i c h he i s t d opera te . These a c t i v i t i e s r e q u i r e a c e r t a i n amount of

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Page 10: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

t i m e , and a P t e r he has Prepared zn acceptable p lan , i ts cie-t e i l s m u s t be cc"unica te8 t o t h e smoke generator o r g a n i z a t i o n and s m e t ine a l lowed f Or reconnaissence by subsrc;in- a t e CCIJ-roaniers. I n a n t i a i r c r a f t OperatiGns, t h i s procedure u s u a l l g need n o t be a has ty one, but i n t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s t h e t i m e f a c t o r demands that t h i s be done quickly. It has besn char-a c t e r i s t i c Of t a c t i c a l smoke operat ions i n the European T h e a t e r of o p e r a t i o n s $hat i n s u f f i c i e n t t ime was allowed t h e smoke uni t commander t o make a reconnaissance and prepare e n ade- quate p l a ~ f o r t h e opera t ion , Smoke companies have u s u s l l y besn r e q u i r e d t o begin opera t ions 'wl . th in a few hours o f t h e i r arr ive1 i n t h e v i c i n i t y Of t h e operat iondl s i t e . Experivnceof smoke u n i t commanders ind icEtes t h a t when t h e i r o p e r a t i o n s i s preceded by a long a c t o r msrch, it i s neoesszry t o t h o r - oughly check a l l smoke generator and r e d i o equipment t o in-sure t h c t i t w i l l ba i n working condi t ion when i ts use is requi red . It is be l ieved tha t t h e minimum time of one f u l l day of daylight should be givcn a smoke uni t t o prepcre f o r . nn oper&tlon. . (An e x c e l l e n t example of thorough End pnin- s t a k i n g p r e p m a t i o n s appeers i n the opemtion of a detach-n s n t of t h e 83 Chemicel Smoke Generator Compeny a t SCBOPHOVXN, GERhljINY, 23 and 24 Fobruzry 1545 i n support of 30 I n f c , n t r yDivis ion E s s n u l t crossing of t h e ROER RIVEA, (Reference: 1 0 ) .

14. Occupation of pos i t ions . I n the usual a n t i e i r c r a f t smoke m i s s i o n of a prolonged c a t u r e , p o s i t i o n s a r e s e l e c t e d a s a r e s u l t of thorough reconnaissance, adequate ly marked or otherwise msde known t o a l l subordinetes , end then a r e occu-p ied d a i l y e t s p e c i f i e d times. In t a c t i c c l miss ions , the o c c u p ~ , t i o nof p o s i t i o n s s h o u l i be c c r r i e d out under caver of darkness , and suppl.les f o r severa l hours opera t ion moved t o t h e D o s i t i o n a t t h e same time. Daylight occupeTlon of p o s i t -ions f r e q u e n t l y r e s u l t s ir. d i sc losure t o t h e enamy o f t h e p r e - c i s e l o c a t i o n s of g e n e r a t o r s end t h e i r opere t ing personnel , with consequent e e r l y des t ruc t ion by a r t i l l e r y f i r e .

15. S e c u r i t y and p r o t e c t i o n o f the uni t i n opere t ion . I n nee r ly a l l smoke genera tor cpers t ions, whethar t e e t i c a l o r a n t i a i r c r a f t , the-orgcniza t ion is s o widely d i s p e r s e d t h a t i n d i v i d u a l s connot mutual ly support ezch o t h e r i n defense a g a i n s t any ground Pction. It m u s t r e l y , t h e r e f o r e , on t b e e c t i o n of o ther g round f o r c e s t o dafend t h e a r e a i n which it i s o p e r a t i n g , and forwarning of tiny s e r i o u s ensmy t h r e e t which would r:q.uire t h e i r withdrawal o r d e s t r u c t i o n of t h e i r equip- ment, Other s e c u r i t y measures i n a n t i a i r o r o f t suoke a s s i g n - ments incl i tde t h e U S Q of s u c h concealment o s i s a v a i l a b l e , s t e g g e r i n g of ind iv idua l genera tors znd t h e s i t i n g of c r g s n i ca n t s i a i r c r & f tmachine guns so a s t o discourage s t r a f i w a t t c c k s by enemy s i r p l c n e s , I n t a c t i c a l smke miss ions , d e f i l a d e o r cover o r scme s o r t i s sought f o r i n d i v i d u d g e n e r a t c r s and o p e r c t i w personnel t o minimize t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of i n j u r y t o men and equipment, \Amen time permi ts , t h e g e n e r a t o r s a n d o p w f t i n g s u p p l i e s a re dug in . S l i t t renches shouid be provided f o r pcrsoimel.

SECTION 1 V

CONTROL OF SMOKE

16, H i h r commander and coordinat ion with t h e o v e r c l l operat i 3 n . * D e r e t i o m , t h e smoke u n i t is a t t a c h e d t o an o r g a n i z a t i o n of one of t h e arms, and +,he c o m n d e r of t h e supported u n i t decides i n a genera l w a y t h e mamer i n which smoke w i l l be employed.

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Page 11: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

a. I n t h e Eur0pea.n T h e a t e r of Operat ions, a n t i o i r - c r a f t smoke i s under the c o n t r o l of t h e a r - t i a i r c r a f t a r t i l l e r y commander. Other a g e n c i e s , wi th whom snoke employment must be coord ina ted , a r e the a i r f o r c e , which may veto t h e smoke o p e r e t i o n ; and army end navy a u t h o r i t i e s respons ib le f o r t h e d i s c h a r g e of sh ipping a t p o r t s , who m u s t ogree d a i l y t o t h e employment of smoke. I n p r a c t i c e , t h i s procedure was sat is-f a c t o r y a t e s t a b l i s h e d p o r t s i n t h e United Kingdom. It was f'olind, however, t h t due t o poor communic~tions f o c i l i t i c s i n t h e OMAKA BEACH a r e a , it wss cumbersome and d i f f i c u l t z o c o n t a c t ncv6l e u t h o r i t i e s . (Reference : 2 ) . Control of a l l a i r defense means was e x e r c i s e d througfi A j o i n t AA O p e r a t i o n s -F i g h t e r Cor-ti-01Room. The smoke bat t ,e l ion had .a l i a i s o n o f f i c e r a v a i l a b l e t o be p r e s e n t a t t h i s pl.ace. The Naval O f f i c e r In Charge of OMAHA BEACH l ikewisa had l i e i s o n o f f i c e r s . t h e r e , bu t t h e y never c o u l d be found. It i s q u i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t had t h e r e been c n urgent n e e d f o r smoke i n t h i s E r e c I , t h e t t h e s e c o o r d i n a t i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s w o u l d have been c o r r e c t -e d q u i c k l y .

b. T h c t i c a l smoke o e r a t i o n s . I n t o c t i c a l smoke o p e r a t i o n s , s m b k e g e n e r a t o r c z p a n i a v e opervted under conTrol of e n g i n e e r b a t t a l i o n s snd groups, i n f s n t r y r e g i m e n t s , end s o n e t i n e s i n f s n t r y end ermored d iv is ions . I n such s i t u -a t i o n s , it i s impor tan t t h a t t h e conmender, who has t h e . pr imary i n B e r e s t i n the o v e r e l l operat ion , inform e l l d e m e n t s of h i s command t h a t smoke will be used, where it w i l l be used,who i s i n d i r e c t c o m e a d of t h e smoke operat ion and who s h o u l d b e c o n t a c t e d should t h e smoke ceuse excessive i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h m y phase of t h e o v e r e l l opera t ion . There have been numorous c a s e s o f c o r p s o r d i v i s i o n s t a f f o f f i c e r s o r d e r i n g f n d l v i Z u a l g e n e r a t o r operators o r smoke s e c t i o n s t o s t o p t h e i r g e n e r a t o r s ,

17, I n smo'ke o p e r a t i o n s , e i t iner a n t i a i r c r a f t o r t a c - t i c a l , it i s t h e f u n c t i o n of t h e smoke uni t commmder t o d i s - p o s e h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n s o t h a t he can p e r f o m the m i s s i o n e s s i g n e d him e f f i c i e n t l y . A l l o r d e r s t o s t a r t smoking, s t o p smcking, and r e q u e s t s f o r more o r l e s s smoke, m u s t p a s s through him.

18, The smoke u n i t commander judges t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of h i s screer. by observ ing i t s d e n s i t y and coverage and hy r e c e i v i n g r e p o r t s from h i s s u b o r d i n a t e s and o f f i c e r s of t h e suppor ted u n i t , who a r e u s u a l l y d ispersed ove r a f a i r l y l a r g e a r e a . Antieircraft smoke s c r e e n s C 8 r l I n O t be a c c u r a t e l y judged from p o s i t i o n s on t h e ground. These screens should be obse rv -ed from p o s i t i o n s which approximate poss ib le bomb r e l e a s e p o i n t s . In p r a c t i c e , a i r o b s e r v a t i o n of the s c r e e n i s used whenever p r a c t i c a b l e i n d a y l i g h t trial opera t ions t o c o r r e c t any d e f i c i e n c i e s i n placement o f smoke genera tors . S i n c e smoke i s r a r e l y u s e d during d c y l i g h t t o supporz t h e a n t i a i r - c r E f t d e f e n s e , it i s n o t p r a c t i c a b l e t o e x e r c i s e o o n t r o l o v e r t h i s t y p e of smoke o p e r a t i o n from t h o &ir .

1 9 . Communicotions. Smoke generator campanies have o r g a n i c communicnt i m i q u i p m e n t designed f o r use i n perform-i n g r e a r a r e e a n t i a i r c r o f t smoke missions. The neans p r o v i d e da r e te lephone enh f requency moduleted red ios . IVith &mplet ime t o c o n s t r u c t te lephone l i n e s a long t h e whole smoke c i r l c u i t , findw i t h r e d i o t o supplement te lephone c o m u n i c e t i o n s , t h e communicetion system i s q u i t e cmnplete and e f f e c t i v e , Th6 communic c-ticm s p e r s o n n e l , however, i s not adequa2e t o m a i n t a i n t h e i n t e r i o r communic ? t iom s y s t effl end g r o v i d e com-municot ion t o t h e s u p p o r t e d u n i t un less i ts commend post i s

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q u i t e c l o s e t o t h a t of t h e smoke generator o r g e n i z s t i o n , I ntect-l.cel smoke opero t lons , rad io communication m u s t be wholly re l i . ed on, a s t h e r e is seldcm t i n e t o cons t ruc t t h e necessery te:cphone,lineS. I n someLpases it may be necessary t o augnent t h e organic r e c i i o equipment i n order t o insure r a p i d t r a n s - miSsi0n of Orders. I n t a c t i c a l smoke operat ions I t h e p r a c t i c e of e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e smoke conmula post e t or very llear t h e c o n m n d p o s t o f t h e sUppOrte6 uni t h a s insured necessRry c l o s e c o n t c c t botween smoke commander and t a c t i c a l comander. In s i t u t - t i o n s where t w o 01’ more smoke compnies hove operatedunder c o n t r o l O f e b a t t a l i o n headquurters , CGUMlUications has been a s e r i o u s problem due ts t h e l imi ted ronge c f frequency msduleted r a d i o t ransmiss ions over i r r e g u l n r t e r r a i n ,

20. Weathor informst ion. Tha behcvior o f smoke i s dcpondent upon c e r t a i n we-ther elemerlts; t h e wind d i r e c t i o n , i t s speed, cnd t h e turbulence of t h e stmcsphere. O v e r a l l v i s i b i l i t y w i l l i n f l u e n c e t h e e e n s i t y of smake needed t o acccmplish the smGlre miss ion , It i s des i reb le t h a t e c c u r a t e f o r e c a s t s of these weather elements be ovs i lnb le t 3 t h e smoke cumandor when he i s preparing h i s p l m . Experience h a s shcwn t h ? t whilo f o r e c a s t s provided t o smoke ccmmmders have lwd r e p s c n r b l e eccurc-cy f o r t h e g m e r z l area cf s p e r o t i o n s ,t h e y hove been u n r e l i a b l e f’cr t h e s p e c i f i c time tmd p l e c e e t which t h e m a k e ‘ q u r e t i c n was p6rfOrmed. Smoke ccmpmies a r e prcv ided with e x c e l l e n t weother equipment and w i t h weclther observers t o ob ta in d a t a , The wind measuring equipment a v a i l - a b l e t o t h s e compani.es i s of two types: an e l e b o r a t e wind vane and enemometer (ML-80)with an i n d i c a t o r (ML-ll7) which o p e r a t e s by remote c o n t r o l , end a smell p o r t a b l e wind vane (I’LL-73) and anemometer (!a-62), The e labora te equipment has been used seldom because of t h e t ime requi red t o i n s t a l l it and d i f f i c u l t y of concea l ing it. I n p r a c t i c e , smoke commnd- ers have used a r t i l l e r y metro nesseges augmented by t h e i r own o b s a r v a t i o c s t o provide c u r r e n t w e t h e r informat ion . ‘yhsn u s e d , f o r e c a s t s of g e n o r a l weather and. f o r e c a s t s of wind d i r z c t i o n end speed p r o b a b i l i t i e s (wind r o s e s ) have been used p r i m a r i l y to e s t a b l j s h p r i o r i t i e s i n t h e development of the smoke c i r c u i t when tinie was an important f a c t o r i n g e t t i n g i n t o opera t ion .

SECTION _V

SUPPLY Ob Si’,DKE GENEXATOR UNITS

21. Supply h a s been t h e g r e e t u s t i rob lm of chemical snoke g o n e r a t o r companies. The bas ic rcason f o r t h e i r d i f f i -c u l t i e s is t h o l a c k of cargo t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i n t h e company. However, supply d i f f i c u l t i e s vcr ied i n c o m p n i e s due t o d i f f e r e r c e :n t h e i r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , In the European T h e a t a r Of Operat ioLs, t h r e e d i f f e r e n t t y p e a or smoke company organ; z a t i o n s e x i s t e d . Two types conformed t o t h o p r e s e n t Tables 0 f Organiza t ion snd Equipment 3-267 , t h e s e b e h e o r g a n i z a t i o n sequipped with t h o LIechqIl Lcal Smoke Generator , M2. The t h i r d type of comp~ny r e s u l t e d from incomplete re-equipment under the l a t e s t Tables of Organizat ion and Equipment 3-267. These companies were re-equipped wi th Mechanical Smoke Generator.s, M 2 , b u t bi:cuusa of E o n - a v a i l e b i l i t y o f $-ton t r u c k s end t r a i l e r s r e t a i n e d t h e i r 22-tcn t rucks and, i n Some c a s e s , a S u b s t a n t i p 1 nunbar of t r a i l e r s , The type Organiza t ion equip- Ped w i t h t h e hi,;ochmict.l Smoke Gonerator, 11, i s omi t ted fran c o n s i d e r e t i o n i n tp-is s t i j d y because of i t s gclnerotor being

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o b s o l e t e . I n consider ing t h e supply of smoke genera tor u n i t s , t h e t o n n a g e requirements should be borne i n mind. The hIech- a n i c a l Smoke Generator, k?, uses abodt 560 pounds of f o g o i l , g a s o l i n e and water per hour. Assuming t h x t a l l o f t h e com-pany’s 48 g e n e r a t o r s ore cpera ted , i t s requirements e r e approximate ly 134 tons p e r hour. A company equipped s t r i c t - l y in accordancc w i t h Tables of organizat ion and Equipment h a s 124 t o n s of cergo CPpQCity i n i t s 24-ton t r u c k s , provided t h e k i t c h e n t ruck i s used f o r opera t iopa l suppl ics . Water and g e s o l i n e a r e usua l ly a v c i l a b l o from sources w i t h i n t e n mi les o f t h e s i t e of t h e smoke company’s operet ion, Tog o i l supply p o i n t s , however, heve been very much f a r the r than t h i s , vary ing from 50 miles t o s e v e r a l hundred miles , Three spec- i f i c i n s t a n c e s ore c i t e d here f o r example: When t h e 84. Chem-i c a l Smoke Generator Cornpny operated ~t lU.YXN?JQ, WAtTCE, i t s f o g o i l had t o come from OMAHA S U C H , E dis tence of zbout 120 m i l e s ; (Reference : 2) . When t h e 84 Chemicel Smoke Generator Company was r e l i e v e d of i t s smoxe mission s t AFdUVILLE, FRANCE(U74),i t sent 20 t r u c k s 2nd t r a i l e r s bsck t o Oh’AKA BEACH t o r e p l e n i s h i t s fog o i l supply, an e s t b c t e d d i s t m c e of approximately 400 m i l e s ; (Reference: 4 ) . The 23 Cheaiccl Smoke Gen- e r a t o r E a t t a l i o n , o p e r a t i n g or. t h e RIILVE RIVE3 e t p o i n t s be-tween BO” and RBNAGEN, arew i t s fog oil s u p p l i e s from ROLS- DORF on t h e west s i d e of t h e ROER RIVEI neEr D W m , about 60 m i l e s @way, (Reference : 9 I.

a. Fog o i l supply. The convent iona l ly orgznized smoke g e n e r a t o r compeny i s not capable of supplying i t s oper-a t i o n a l r e q u i r e m n t s o f fog o i l with i t s orgznic t r a n s p o r t - a t i o n when t h e t u r n around t ime from t h e Tog o i l dump t o t h e g e n e r a t o r p c s i t i o n s exceeds one hour, This type of compeny has i n v a r i a b l y been suppl ied ir- i t s operat lons b y t r a n s p o r t -a t i o n provided by t h e suppor ted uni t . In some c a s e s , detach-ment s f r o m quartermaster t r u c k companies have been a t t a c h e d t o t h e smoke uni t t o t r s n s p o r t i t s f o g o i l . On t h e o ther hand, t h e type o f company w i t h w c h a n i c a l Smoke Generators , u2, and 28-ton truc!m, sm handle a l e r g e por t ion of its supply requirements . As an example, the 23 B a t t a l i o n , cper-a t i n g on t h e RHINE, t r a n s p o r t e d spproxini&tely 50% of i t s f0 O i l r equi rements wi th company t ranspor tn t ion . (Reference: g?.The c o n v e n t i o n a l l y equipped company cannot c a r r y any b a s i c l o a d o f o p e r a t i o n a l s u p p l i e s and move i ts T/E equipment.Companies equip ed with 28-ton t rucks were nble t o c a r r y a b a s i c l o c d o f 42E hours o f smoke suppl ies .

b. Othe; supElies. Supply of requirements o ther t h a n smoke m t e r i e s wa not a s d i f f i c u l t , but did p r a s e n tSame problems. Thcse problems aro3e primErily from t h e b r e v i t y or t h e i r o t tachEents t o o t h e r o r g a d a a t i m s , r a t h e r t k s n l a c k o f t r a n s p o r t a t i m .

e. Maintenon=, Aside f r o m t h e supp ly of oper-a t i o n a l me t c r i a l s , maintemnce of the Mechanical ,%;ns_k.Gener- atur, M 2 , p resented a p r o b l m of g r e e t importence. ‘lilis machine, perhaps due t o an e f f o r t t o reduce i t s weight t o R m i n i m u m , ht:s shown a tendency t o be unre l iob le i n opere t ion . Ncrmally, t h e defec ts which occurred have n s t been s e r i c u s and u s u a l l y r e q u i r e some minor a d j u s b z n t o r t h e replacement of a p a r t . However, spcre p o r t s fer t h i s m c h i n e were never a v a i l e b l e f o r i s s u e of :he prescr ibed a r g a n i z a t i s n a l s e t o f s p e r e ps r t s t o companies, So far 8s i s known, even the chemica l maintenance c m p a n i e s were unable t c g e t s tandard s p e r e p s r t s , As R r e s u l t o f t h i s s i t u a t i o n , genert‘ tors which r e q u i r e d simple f i r s t F n d secoad echelon maintenance hsd t o

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be r e t u r n e d t o chemica l mein tencnce compenies f o r r e p c i r .In some cases maln tenence companies f a b r i c a t e d p a r t s which were f r e q u e n t l y needed ar,d m a i n t a i n e d small de tachment i n t h e v i c i n i l y of smoke g e n e r a t o r companies so a s t o r e p a i rq u i c k l y machines which were non-operational. Dur ing one week of smoke o p e r a t i o n s , the 23 Chemical Smoke Genera to r Battalio ( c o n s i s t i n g of two companies) s e n t 34 g e n e r a t o I s t o a m a i n t -enance c m p a n y for r e p a i r . ( R e f e r e n c e : 9 ) . Many more were a d j u s t e d o r had r e p a i r s mode on them by company g e n e r a t o rm c h a n i c s . k t o r v e h i c l e main tenance was a l s o a p r o b l e m i n smoka gene ra to r com$aniec, T h i s was due t o an i n s u f f i c i e c t number of motor mechanics i n t h e o r g s n i z a t i o n . Again t h e f r e q u e n t changes i n a t tachment maae i t d i f f i c u l t for compan-i e s t o ma in ta in c o n t a c t w i t h ordnoncfi u n i t s !which had t h e i r v e h i c l e s for t h i r d and f o u r t h e,che.lon n a i n t e n a n c c work.

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PART THEE

CHAPTER I

NECESSITY FOR SJlOK4 GZNERATOR UNITS

S?CTION I

DISCUSSION

22. Severa l f a c t o r s must bc cons idorsd i n doterminingwhothcr t ho rc is 3 n e d for c h c x i c n l smoke g e n e r a t o r u n i t s , Smoke ht.s proven t o b e of g r o a t viilue j.n dcfcnse a g a i n s t air a t t a c k nnd 03 t h e b a t t l e f i e l t . I t s f u t u r e u t i l i t y as n means of a n t i a i r c r a f t dcfcnso i s dspendent upon t h e t a c t i c s and t o c h n i q u e s which a i r f o r c e s may use i n t he f u t u r e , Alllor3 a i r f o r c o s havc used r ada r devieos e x t e n s i v e l y i n bombing enemy t a r g e t s . This a p p l i c a t i o n o f radar hes n u l l i f i e d t h e e f f e c t o f smoko. It i s rcasonnblo t o assume t h a t t h o enemyilir f o r c c i n t h a next weir w i l l bo as w e l l equipped w i t h r a d a r d e v i c e s ua o u r awn a i r f o r c e v i m i n t h i s war. Agoin, it has been p r e d i c t o d t h c t i n t h e f u t u r o bombing f l c e t s may be com-posed of p i l o t l c s s a i r c r a f t , which may bo guided t o t h e i r t a r g e t by remote r a d i o c o n t r o l , o r perhaps d i roc tod t o t h e i r target i n a manner similir t o t h e f i r i n g o f a cannon, t h a t is,i t bc ing s t a r t e d in '1 g i v e n d i r e c t i o n with u t iming d e v i c e t o c o n t r o l t h e p k c e c t which t h c m i s s i l e e x p l o d e s . Obviously,smoke ccn not be an e f f o c t i v e da fense a g a i n s t such a n a t t a c k . On t h e b a t t l e f i e l d , i t is q u i t e p o s s i b l e t h a t t h o developmontof r a d a r and i n f r a - r c d observ ing equipment mcy l i k c w i s c n u l l - i f g t h c e f f s c t of smokc. This would be e s p o c i r L l l y t r u e i f s u c h dovices hcd wide enough d i s t r i b u t i o n i n the onemy f o r c e s t o m s u r a e f f e c t i v e c o n t r o l o? fir0 and re l ic ib le o b s e r v a t i o n . The Gcrmnn xmmy hid G nurnber o f i n f r a - r ed obsorving dev iccs , b u t i t i s not knovm how e x t c r s i v o l y they were used , I n f r a -r o d r a y s a re capable o f p e n e t r a t i n g h u m and a r t i f i c i a l f o g ,b u t n o t n n t u r n l f o g . (Raforence: 13) . Thus, tho need for smoko i n t h u f u t u r o must be dotermined b!y s t u d y of s c i s n -t i f i c dovolapmcnts designed t o overcome thc co:-.cealing powerof smoko, and the e f f o r t s t o produce 8 smoke t h z t w i l l be opaquo t o i n f r a - r o d snd rcanr rays . It i t is ds te rmined t h a t t h e r c i s u need f c r snoko, t h e n tho need f o r chemical smoke g e n t r o t o r t r o o p s i s e s t a b l i s h e d .

SECTION I

DISCUSSION

23. Smoke g c n o r a t o r t r o o p s were i n i t i a l l y s e p u r a t c companies. Being designed p r i m d r i l y f o r a n t i a i r c r a f t siiokc p r o t o c t i o n of l a r g e and i n p o r t d n t i n s t a l l a t i o n s , i t w a s found t h n t i n n c & > r l y o v c r y s i t u a t i o n s c v o r a l corip:,nics w o r e rcqui rod . I n o r d e r t o p rov ide 3 c o o r d i n a t i n g and comond

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agency f o r such i n s t a l l a t i o n s , the b a t t a l i o n hecdquzders and h e n d w a r t e r s dotachnont WE& cruatcd , and compcniosv,eroa t tached t o and actached from b a t t o l i c n s i n accordcnco ;.,.ith t h e requirements for t r o o p s tlt ci given i n s t a l l a t i o n . .'nlcn t h e r e was no longer a need f o r a n t i a i r c r a f t smoke at ports and o t h e r i n s t a l l a t i o n s i n t h e European Thaatar O p c r a t i c n s ,mriny o f t h e smokc companies and b a t t a l i o n s wcrtj avz,il-ab12 t o t h e O r I U i C S for such b a t t l e f i e l d usc c.3 they v,ero s u i t a b l e f o r . I n n o s t s i t u c t i c n s , a single cofipcny w3s cd-equate to PeTfOrm t h e miss ion assigned. Becruse ,,f t h i s ,and the inaaW,uacy of t h o present b h t t a l i o n haedqucrters oncl headquar te rs d o t a c h " t o accozpl i sh t h e propsr func t icns

. of a headqUUte;.rS, many smoke u n i t commanders and chemicals taff ' o f f l c o r s r e d t h a t them 'isno nee?. f o r a b a t t a l i o n o r g a n i z a t i o n . On t h c o t h e r hand, army ZhenicGl o f f i c c r s and u n i t cumrzandcrs g o n o r a l l y agree tk t t h e r c i s B naed f o r n b a t t a l i c n headquarters and headguarters company lvhich i s capable of p r c p e r l y suppor t ing smoke conpr.nies vvith supply, a d m i n i s t r a t i o n and r e p r o s e n t a t ion i;t th.' hesdaucrters of t h e u n i t t o which t h e y a r o at tcchcd. (Rcforence: 1 2 ) .B e n though most snake n i s s i o n s &re pc-rfomed by $etachsd companies, occasions do c r i s e i n tact ic ; : l s i t u a t i o n s whore two o r nore cmpnnlcs 8r.o requlrad on a pinsla smoke mission. Ag2in, t h e r c a rc s i t u a t ons where o n l y m e coripany i s re-quirod f o r n snokil miss on, but sevcra l conpenias may be o p e r a t i n g i n c l c se pro:: KLity t o each o ther . I n t h e f i r s t s i t u a t i o n , a hoadquartore i s ' r o . ; t i i r s d t 3 c o o r d i m t e t h e a c t i v i t i e s of t h e two oonpJnies an2 exerc ise ccmanr! o w r the snoke opera t ion . In t h o second casa z b a t t a l i o n haad-c p a r t o r s , o r a porti.on of i t , can p r c f i t e b l y ncvo ti. t h o v i c -i n i t y of t h o cpcrat i 'cn, s x m c i s e gonarol supzrv is icn cvc r t h e o p e r a t i o n , 2nd through c l o s e r ccntac t i d t h t h z scTrera1 companies take o v c r t h e i r supply and l i a i a c n prcblons. L s e p a r n t c company, nct pc.mxiilntly ass ign& cr s t tzchcc? t c P,

given comand, i s hondicLppc6. by t h c Lack of a b a t t a l i o n hear?quzrters t o l cok aftw its supply En$. perscnncl a h i n - i s t r a t i c n , an?. g e n c r c l l y supcrv isc ' t s a c t i v i t i e s .

24. There hzs bocn scio thcught th;t t a c t y p e s of snckc g e n e r a t c r u n i t s should bc organized i n c r d o r t e a f f c c t eccn-cmies i n manpower a id oquiy icn t . It h.as bean prcpcsor? t h a t one type be croatec' f o r cnploynent i n t h e re1" t ive ly s t a t i c type of c i s s i c n , which wculd e x i s t i n t h e p r o t e c t i r n of pcrtS o r o t h e r r e a r a r e c i n s t n l l c t t i o n s whore supply of c p e r a t i c n e lm a t e r i a l s would nc.t requi ra nuch o r g e a i c t r a n s p o r t a t i c n .The c t h e r tygo o f c o n p a y wl-tild be designor? for use i n tho conbat zcne where supply poin ts a r c u s u a l l y s m e Pistnncc awLy frnn t h e sit2 3f opera t ions . To s v r l u a t o those prc-p 3 s a l s , it is f i e s i r a b l e t c ccnsiC-r Scm of t h e h i s t o r i c 2 1 a s p e c t s of t h i s war. A t t h e beginning of CUP p e r t i c i p l - t i @ n i n t h i s w u r , t h e eneny a i r f o r c e s Wtirc r e l a t i v e l y s t r o n g . They t h e c a p a b i l i t y of do l iver ing e f f e c t i v e 2ir a t t a c k s s n w h o r e i n tho Thehtor of Opornticns, and t h e r e \Vas rear cf attacks a g n i n s t zone cf the I n t e r i c r i n s t a l l a t i c n s . To roducc tho e f f e c t i v e n e s s c f such a t t a c k s , t h e s2oke g e n e r a t o r u n i t s were c r e a t e d wi th t h e concept Cf CnPloYiW thou i n s i t u a t i o n s where gcod. rcada C ? X i S t O ? . cn(? WlPlS SUPP-l i e s were avni leb1e nearby, By t h e t in0 tho S l l i C S Were ready t3 t h e i r mjor c f f e n s i v e cigainst GerEany i n Europe, had 90 weakened t h e Gernan A i r Fcrce that it wag no longer capable cf s f f e c t i i i c sir a t t a c k W a i n s t

Sincc t h e r e was ncour importantrear area i n s t a l l a t l c n ~ . longer f o r cheEiCCil smcke g e n e r a t c r u n i t s in

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n i s s i o n s f o r which they werc designed, nn e f f o r t wGs t c f i l e SCIlO U s 0 f t r then . A t nbcut the sane t h e , t h e ,?;cchanicol Snokc Generator , 112, becam avai lab le rindposs ib lo t h e enployncnt C f those orgznizat icns i n t a c t i c a l y i t u n t i o n s . SC, sone coilpanics were nzdc a v a i l a b l e tc t h e c rmies , and o t h c r s mre Livcr tcd t o secondary n i s s i c n a . sce thon . tha t ar. c r g 3 n i z o t i o n w h i c h was d o s i m a d f c r cnplcy-ncnt unr?cr cn6 sot of cunZi t ions was C G W i t t s e . t o cpor.ting unc'or q u i t e d i f f e r c n t canc?i t icns which put i t r a t h e rsevere handicap. Tco nuch t h e ISrequire$. t c e f f e c t t 3 o ccnvcrsion of cn c r g m i z c t i o n frcn clnc type tc another tc perrrit t h c sfilvap,ice, cf r i m an?. equipment i n a u n i t fer which t h e r e i s no I.@np,Cr any need, SimilLrly, th6 t i n e rsquirefi. t . 7 c c r r o c t T/O & s CeficLcncies resulting from vJar exparioncei s exccss ivo . iVil.?jsrwurs are cf such grea t magnituCe t h L t a high dcgroo c.f cocP8inat ion nust bc exorcise?! cver a l l nciticnnl a c t i v i t y , and O X t r x l C cure m e t be cnplcyeC! in t h e u t i l i z n t i m c?f menpc,wor, Wizh reglrC! t c snoke generatoro r g o n i z a t i c n s , it i s believe<. t h z t t h i s cnn bost be noccmp-lishecl by t o s i g n i n g 8 single type cf mokc genera tor u n i t which ctin work c r f i c i e n t l y in t h e r e h r a rea n i s s i o n end cn t h e b a t t k f i o l ? . '

25. I n t h i s stu3.y of chemical s!:icke genorntcr u n i t s i t is not i n t o n d c d t o present E new organien t icn which i n con-p l e t c i n c l l ?et,c.j.is, but r r ; ther to in? icn te the changes r a -quircrl, i n s t r u c t u r e an?. m j [ ; r i t c r s cf equipment,

a. The chemical sncka generotcr b a t t a l i c n s h o u l e be ccnposoc! of a headqunrters und heoSquarters conpuny, a nefl.ic o l r7.stachriont, nnr? f o u r orgnnica l ly cssignocl chemical snake generator conpnnies, (See Chnrt #I, iippendix). It i s believe?. d e s i r a b l o t o have tho conpilnio:! o r g a i c a l l y a p a r tof t h e b u t t o l i o n so t h a t t h o compl3tc organiza t ion t r a i n s a9 a whole Qnd, through c o n s t a n t fissocihtion o f p e r s c m e l i n t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n , it beconos 3 tow. . A l s o , by f i x i n g t h a number of companies i n t h a b a t t a l i o n , t h c r e is a c ' e f i n i t e proport ion of t r a n s p o r t n t i c n n v s i l n b l c f o r supply o f opera t iona l mi te r - i a . l s , 1: ~ ~ d . i c c 1 1~ . o t a c h m n thcs boen conaic'ercc? Aeslrabls by a l l smoke u n i t oornmanfhrs interviewee. I n stuCying t a b l e s of o r g a n i z a t i o n WIG: equipment of sep3rc te b a t t n l i c n s i n t h e nrElS an? s e r v i c e s , it i s ncte8. t h - t ntnc lack ~ _ i ncC.ica1 do-tnch_r?cnt. It is 21sc b a l i o v e d thet ths re should be 0. Chaploinanr! a p p r o p r i a t e u s s i s t a n t s atf;uchei! t c t h e b a t t a l i o n .

b. e l i o n headquarters nnil haadquarters ccmpany.

The ba t ta1 l .m h z a t q x n t e r s and headquarters( 1) ccripnny shoule be crganizec! s u b s t a n t i a l l y i n occcrdance w i t h the T/O & E prcpcseaby Major J. F u l l e r , fcrmerly com-anr?ingt h e z z cp.?anical Smok:: Generator B a t t a l i c n , wi th s l i g h t n c t i f i m t i c n s t o ccnforn t c c c m c n t s of var ious hi iulquarters which ?cviewcd t h i s proposal. (Reference: 12).The f a n c t i o n s G f t t e b a t t a l i r n h e a t q u a r t e r s a ro C C ~ F J ~ . ,a a n i n i s t r a t i o n and opora t icn- ai. c t m t r o l c,f snoko opera t ions when

more ccmpanies c f t h e b a t t a l i o n a r e en- gage2 i n Q single missicn. Personno1 of tho b a t t a l i o n hnaeQuuorters a s s i s t ?e-tache?. conpwnies by provifiing t e c h n i o a l Gdvioo t c t h e supported u n i t , a s s i s t i n the propara t icn of smoke p l a n s an?. i n

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c c o r f i n a t i n g t h e snake p l a n w i t h c t h o r agoncics conccrned. Ratta13.cn hoae-q u a r t e r s c:lso nay p c r f c m t h e i n p r . r - t o n t functic-n, :?f a s s i s t i n g i n t h c r e h a b - i l i t c t i c n rJf ccnpanics which havo boon engaged i n operr i t ions and hnvo s u s t u i n e d e q u i p i e n t and p e r s o n n e l losses. The b a t t a l i o n h e a d q u a r t e r s shoul?. hnnc?le a l l supply m a t t e r s pertaining t c Clnss 11, IV cnd v ( f c g o i l ) f o r t h e c m n a r . i e s cf t h c b a t t n l i c n . I: 3.iagrw of a S u g g o s t c dheadquar te rs c r g a n i z c t i c n a p p e a r s i n C h a r t 2 , Appendix.

( 2 ) The Leadydnrters conpany s o r v e s t h e hotid-q u u r t c r s i n c a r r y i n g <:u t i t s f u n c t i o n s of ?i?pi.nistr:ition and supply of t h e b n t t a l -i c n . Chart 3, hppenfiix, shows cliaeran of a suggosted o r g a n i z a t i o n . Tho p r l n c i p l os e r v i c e rondarac? by the h e a l q u a r t c r sccnpany t o t h e smclio g e n c r u t c r c m p a n i e s i s s u p p l y o f fog c i l , I n a r ? d i t i c n t o t h i s , p e r s o n n e l of tie s u p p l y p l n t r w n c ? i l u t e fcg o i l w i t h k e r o s c n e t o t h i n i t for cclr?: wenthor o p o r c t j c n s . It i s b e l i o v o d thct f i r s t and SOccnA e c h c l r n n n i n t o n - nnce shculd be a c c o n p l i s h e d c n l y i n t h e sncke g e n e r a t o r c c n p a n i e s , Ii,lzintcnanca suppor t by t h c hecf iquar tors c o n p m y s h o u l d c c n s i s t of sparo p a r t s s t c c k s , n reserve cf three g c n e r a t c r s p e r cccipany ( i n aAdi-t i o n t o t h o twc:. Carrie8 by e a c h CC:npany)

a c t i n g a s i n t e r m s d i - r y betwecn t h o conaanics and c h o a i c a l Iznintenanoa corzpnn- i c s f c . r t h i r r ! me. f o u r t h o c h e l c n work.

anizat 'on of t h e supply s e c t i c n i n t o 1' squads, e a c h having f sur 2+-ton

t r u c k s an?. f-ur 1- ton cargo t r a i l e r s , p e r n i t s a t tnc .k ien t of @no scch squnr? t c a detacheft conpany when t h o s i t u a t i c n in-cl icatod t h a t t h o cc;r:pany's s u p p l y p m b l o ncculd be accnnpl i she6 b e t t e r i n t h i s nacner . Each s u p p l y squn?, augnontocl by maintenanco Den f rcn t h c c n n p a n i e s , oculrl h a c d l e th - s e q u i p r e n t of one conpany and hnv3 it avni lc lble q u i c k l y and i n g o d . .con-c l i t ion when it is necder? f r r s n c k e opora-t i o n s . The b a t t a l i o n c o r i m m i c a t i o n s 3eans should inc1ufi.e te lophono anti radio. The te lcphono c o m u n i c o t i c n i s n e c e s s a r y with-i n tie b o t t a l i o n h c a d q u a r t c r s and to all t h e ooripnnias when t h e y a r e r e a s o n a b l yc l o s c t o g e t h e r and t o t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s ; I n nost cases, t e lcphono c m u n i c a t i c n t g t h o headquar te rs t o which t h o b a t t a l i o n i s a s s i g n e d is a l s o n e c e s s a r y . Becruse t h e conpnnios arc f r c q u s n t l y a n a p p r o c -i a b l o d i s t a n c e away frcn the h e f i d q u a r t e r s ,r a r ' i c c c m u i i i c a t i r n i s nocss sn ry t o main-t a i n c o n t a c t . Raeics provif .ed shouLC hnvo a r e l i a b l e rnngo of 100 ni l c s . Sufficiont r d i o o p e r a t i o n p e r s o n n e l shoulr l be p r c v i d -e?. t o p e r n i t c o n t i n u c u s o p e r n t i c n o f t h o b a t t a l i o n r n e i o s t a t i o n ,

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c - Experience i n t h e European Theater oroporo-t i o n s has Shown t h a t t h e chemical moke g s n e r a t o r conpany h a s some d e f i c i e n c i e s . The most s e r i o u s of t h e s e has beenit: i n a b i l i t y t o handle f o g o i l supply and to carry a ~ b a s i c load of smoke m a t e r i a l . The organiza t ion diagr-ed in Chart4 has been designed t o c o r r e c t t h e known o r g a n i z a t i c n a l de-f a c t s o f t h e ComWny. It COnSiStS O f s. company headquarters and two o p e r a t i o n s P la toons . This does not reprosent a n in-~ m a s di n t h o n m h e r or smoke genera tors which t h e company o p e r a t e s , b u t i s designed t c provide g r c a t e r f l e x i b i l i t y and b::tter C o n t r o l i n t h o O r g a l i z a t i o n . It has been found that continuous o p e r a t i o n of t h e company places an excessive s t r a i n on t h e p e r s o n n a l , BY having two 0PBrtlti.ons platoons, bo thcould be employcd i n m i s s i o n s r e q u i r i n g only dayl ight oper-a t i o n ; and i n s i t c a t i o n s whj rc both dayl ight and night oper-a t i o n s ore r e q u i r e d , Onc p la toon Can r s l i e v e the othaj-, T h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n l ikowiso providos permancrntly organized small. dotachnonts which can convcnient ly be zssigned indcpondcnt miss ions a t p o i r t s i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h o companyfs l o c a t i o n , b u t not t o o far d i s t a n t . Each p ls toon is composed of two s e c t i o n s , n n d c t c h s o c t i o n has three squads. The aajor devi- c t i o n fro31 t h o prCSCnt o r g a n i z a t i o n appears i n t h e squad o r g c n i z o t i o n and equipmznt. The present squad i s composed o f one c o r p o r a l and t w o p r i v a t e s , and opera tes two >lechanica l Smoke 5enerator .9 , M2, Which a r e t r a n s p o r t e d i n a %ton trail- e r , squad personnel r i d i n g i n t h e *-ton ;ruck which tows the t r a i l e r . There are two s e r i o u s d e f i c i e n c i e s i n t h i s squado r g a n i z a t i o n . F i r s t , t h e squad cannot c a r r y wi th it a n y fogo i l . Second, t h e corporal . is t h e t r u c k dr iver . lrrhen it is necessary t o movc t h e v e h i o l e away f r o m t h e smoke opera t ions l i n e , t!ie squad l e a d e r goes w i t h i t . It may be argued that one o f t h e p r i v a t c s could d r i v s tho vohic lc away, but regard- less of who d r i w s i t , o n e - t h i r d of t h e squad i s l o s t . I n tho proposed o r g a n i z a t i o n , t h e squad i s composed of one cor-p o r a l , two t e c h n i c i a n s f i f t h gr2d.e ( t r u c k dr ivers ) . , and f o u r p r i v a t u s o r p r i v a t e s f i r s t c l a s s . T h i s squad opuzrates four i$echanical make Conurntors , M2, which nro mounted on two 2*-ton t r u c k s . Each t r u c k w i l l c a r r y a flour and c h a l f hour supply of f o g o i l , g a s o l i n c and watar f o r t h o t w o smoke gcn-e r a t o r s . T h i s squad mag be used e f f i c i e n t l y i n e i t h e r a n t i - a i r o r e f t smoko o p e r a t i o n s or i n t a c t i c a l smoke opera t ions . I n tho a n t i a i r c r a f t smoke o p o r s t i o n s , the genera tors would bo opera ted from t h e i r moun%s 011 t h e t rucks . This provides for t h e n e c e s s a r y m o b i l i t y of elements of t h e company. Due t o tho r e l o t i v o l y s h o r t o p e r a t i n g per iods i n a n t i a i r c r a f t . smoke o p e r a t i o n s , resupply of f o g o i l :an be accomplished by ba t -t a l i o n h e a d q u a r t e r s company. When t h e present company is re-quired t o o p e r a t e i n a n t i a i r c r a f t smoke missions, it is nee-e s s a r y t h a t a s t o c k of f o g o i l be e s t a b l i s h e d a t each smoke point . T h i s i s time consuming i n preparing f o r t h e opera- t i o n , r e s u l t s i n p.aving on hand a n excoss ivc ly l a r g e q u a n t i t y Of fog oil, and dce t o i t s g r e a t d i s p e r s i o n i s imposs ib let o guard so as t o prevent p i l f e r a g e . Obviously, t h i s d i f -f i c u l t y i s .e l imina ted whan t h o f o g O i l Supply i s c a r r i e d w i t h t h o g e n e r a t o r s . I n t a c t i c a l smoke missions, t h e Squad t r u c k s a r e d r i v c n t o t h o s e l a c t a d p o s i t i o n s , g e n e r a t o r s , operating supplies and g e n e r a t o r o p a r a t a r s unloaded. Tho t r u c k s a r o then a v a i l n h l e t o augmcnt t h o b a t t a l i o n headquar- t e r s company i n supply ing fog o i l t o t h c companies- Some

in-o t h e r n o d i f i c a t i o n s of t h e oompany organiza t ion d i c a t c d by cjxp3r-ence. ~t i s considered necessary t o have one a d d i t i o n a l o f f i c e r i n t h c company. I n many tactical smoke s i t u a t i o n s , s c c t i o n s of opera t ions platoons have been a s s i g n a d s e p a r a t e smoke miss ions . I n cvcry cas8 i t h a s bcQn considcrnd des i rab le t o have a n o f f i c e r i n c h a m c f . e a c h

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sec t ion . This h a s r e s u l t e d i n Put t ing the whole respons- i b i l i t y f o r mess opera t ion and feeding of t h e personnel i n a c t i c n , t h e supply of o p e r a t i n g m a t e r i a l s , and motor and smoke g e n e r a t o r maintenance on a non-commissioned o f f i c e r , usua l ly t h e f i rs t ~ e W X n t . Two a d d i t i o n a l smoke genera tor mechanics Shoula be provided so t h a t there i s one per S J O -

t i o n of t h e o p e r a t i o n s p la toons . Auto mechanics Should bcincressod t o Provide b e t t e r second echelcn motor maintenance. The number of r a d i o o p e r a t o r s shou ld be increased s o t h a t thd company r a d i o S t a t i o n can bo oporatcd 24 hours a day f o r a prolonged p e r i o d . The prosent bas i s o f radio opera tors , one per r a d i o , i s inadCqUata when t h e company i s on a prolonged mission. It Whs found i n thu opera t ions of tho 23 mokc Generator B a t t a l i o n on t h e R " E t h a t the command r a d i o s o t opera tor and the company commander became exhausted r a t h e r e a r l y i n t h e opcra t ion bocauso t h e r e was h0 r e l i e f f o r them. (Reference: 18).

CILQTER I11

SECTION I .

DISWSSTON

26. Twel f th Army Croup comments and recommendations with r e g a r d t o s u b j e c t m a t t e r contained i n t h e Seport of Army Ground Force Equipment Review Board , and r e p o r t and recommendations o f European Theater o f Operations t o t h e Chief of S t a f f , Uni ted S t a t e s Army, based on s t u d i e s of t h e aforementione6 d o o m e n t s , regard ing "cont inuat ion o f re - search t o improve t h e mechanical smoke generators ' ' a r e concurred i n . S p e c i f i c comments on d e s l r a b l e inprovemonks i n t h e Mechanical Smoke Genera tor , hl2, follow:

a. Incroaaed ruggedness and dependabi l i ty is t h e most impor tan t improvement r e q ~ i r e d i n thc smoke genera tor .

b. Reduction o f s i z e and weight of t h e genera tor is d e s i r a b l e but s h o d d n o t be a t t a i n e d c t t h e exponse o f increased ruggednees an6 dependabi l i ty .

0 . An e f f o r t shculd Se made t o reduce t h e amount Of n o i s e made by t h e gdnera tor when i n operat ion. Excessive noise has precluded i t s USQ i n f r o n t l i n e opera t ions where secrecy was of paramount importance. (Reference: Il), On other o c c a s i o n s t h e noise of t h e genera tor prevented oper- s t i n g personnel frcm hear ing jncoming enemy a r t i l l e r y s h e l l s , causing c a s u a l t i e s which could have been avoided i f t h e men had heard t h e s h e l l s and t a k a n cover, (Reference: 4).

6 , A modi f ica t ion of t h e Mechanical Smoke Generator , M2, t o permit v a r i a t i o n of i t s smoke output is d e s i r a b l e . In t a c t i c a l s i t u a t i o n s i t i s u s u a l l y d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h o d is tance do~~nwindt o which t h e smoke i s c f f e c t i v c bo l i m i t e d S O as t odecrease i n t e r f e r e n c e w i t h o t h e r b a t t l o a c t i v i t i e s . Another advantage of t h i s c a p a b i l i t y would be adjustment o f smokescreen d e n s i t y t o t h a t d e s i m d by t n e supportod u n i t . It may be argued t h a t t h i s can be 6ccomFlished by spacing goner-a to r s a t w i d o r i n t e r v a l s o r by decreasing t h e number of gen-

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--

e r a t o r s i n o p e r a t i o n . In soma s i t u a t i o n s t h i s i s a s a t i s - f a c t o r y solution b u t i n many cases it is likely t o r e s u l t i n

s e r i c o of Separate smoke t r a i l s which never form D. home-g.:neous SCTFCn.

e . Another d e s i r a b l e m9dif icat ion of the generator 1s one p e r m i t t i n g ins tan taneous shutdown by stopping t h e 811-girie of t h o w k r a t o r . Although t h i s has been done many t i n o s i n p r a c t i c e , due t o ignOrenc2 nn t h e par t of t h e opera tor o r by mn"nm of s o n i o r o f f i c e r s , it r e s u l t s i n clogging viatcr l i n s componcnts w l t h fog o i l and oonsoquent f a i l u r c t o opor-a t c when s t a r t e d again. Normal shutdown proczdurs novr rc-quirts about t h r e o minutes ,

f . To prosorvo tho va lua of smnka it may be nocos-sary t o n l t o r i t s n a t u r e , if p o s s i b l e , s o t h a t i t counters t i la e f f e c t i v e n e s s of r a d a r and inf ra - red observing and f i r e c o n t r o l dovicos. Act ive r c s c a r c h t 3 accomplish t h i s end should he ca r r i ed o u t . F i s l d tests and t a c t i c a l s t u d i e s should bc cngagcd i n t o d & ? r d n o t h c u t i l i t y and d e s i r o b i l -i t y of s u c h a l t c m d smoko. It is bel ieved t h a t t h e require- mcnt f o r smokc gcn::rator u n i t s i n t h e fu ture hinges on t h i s p o i n t .

CIIkFTXR IV

COVCLUSIONS

SECTION I

27. It i s concluded that :

3 . A roquiremcnt e x i s t s for chemical smoke gener-a t o r companies but t h i s r c q u i ~ c m a n ti s subject t o avnlua-t i o n of t h c nood f o r smoke i n view o f pmsent known devioos which rcduco its e r f u c t i v a z s s .

b. rcquirdmcnt e x i s t s f o r o. b a t t a l i o n organi-z a t i s n f o r snoke g c n c r a t o r c o ~ p E d o s ,subjsc t t o tho#SamQ cons idcrn t ions as i n a , above.

c , Jt I 5 d e s i r n b l e t o change t h e organizat ion of Headqunrtcrs a n d Hcndqunrtors Dotzchment , Chemical Smoke Gcncrator Bnt tn] ion as sdt f o r t h i n T/O & E 3-2668, dated 28 Suptcmhcr 1944.

d. A change i n t h e orgac iza t ion of t h e Chemical Smokc Gcncrn to r Compmy a s s e t f o r t h i n Y/O & E 3-267, doted 4 Mcy 1944, is desirab1G.

e . publ i shed d o c t r i n c s f o r employmant O f chemical smoko g o n c r o t o r u n i t s do not providc infsrmotion and i n s -t r u c t i o n J 1 m a t o r i a l on t h o employment of these u n i t s i n b Q t t l c f i c l d s i t u a t i o n .

f, Improvcacnts i n the :Icchan?cal %nokc G m m -tor, 1'2, crc d e s i r a h l c .

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CFA?TER V

RECOl!lbIEPJDATI ONS

SECTION I

28. It i s recommended t h a t :

n. Tables of Orgcnizvt ion nnd Equipment f o r e chemical smoke g e n e r a t o r b a t t a l i o n , with organic composi- t i o n t is indicated i n P a r t Three, Chaptor 11, Paragrcph 23, of t h i s r o p o r t , bo proparcd and published.

b . Rppropr ic t? r e v i s i o n s and changcs t o hl 3-5, !!Tactics of Chemic31 V m f w C ' f ; 33l 3-50, "Large Ares Smoke Screening' ' ; and FM 100-5, "Operationsif t o cdequstelg set f o r t h t h e d o c t r i n e s of' ernploynont and the c a p a b i l i t i e s and l i m i t a t i o n s of smoke g e n s r a t o r u n i t s i n t a c t i c a l smoko oper-a t i o n s be prepared an6 publishod.

e . Act ive r c s e a r c h and developmcnt bc continued t o improve mochanicul snoke g e n c r z t o r s os ind icc tcd i n P a r t Three , Chapter 111, Paragraph 26 , of t h i s r e p o r t .

- 20 -

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(PROPOSED)

Chmiccl Smoke Generator Bet ta l ior .

Headquarters B z t t a l i o n company Hem3.Quaz-t ersI 1

Personnel for battelion Co"az13 - Admiaistratioa -O p r d i o n z l . Coiltrol =hen Attsched Xedicz.1

' staff sections. Radio -' two o r more C O E ~ X - ~ E Sara e. Ch2pl3in& telephone commw-i-

cation personnel, FOE engazed on s m e l l iss ion. oil a q p l y t o conpenies To chniczl advice to

25 sept 45

Page 24: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

Headquarters Cheeczl 3sioke Generz3or Ez i i tc l io~

1

1”kI1 or Executive*

Cautain

J

* Available t o provide technical aadvice to supForted unit, assist i n smoke plan preperation ard coorOinEtion and &e ai2m.” axengenenta for sEoke company riben companies are detached, These persome1 cons t i tu te the forward echelon .. of bettalior, headqu,?rters when two or more companies are eg&&ged i n the s a m misaim,

l-l

Page 25: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

Headquarters Compnny Caemical 3noke Generator Bs t ta l ion

En Bq Flaaar,

Section

PersonnEl fo r oper- ikl is ted Personnel etion & mir t emnce for operat icn OF of bo radio sietiocs. h e ~ d ~ i i a r t e r s . Personnel for switch-board o~erztion& telephone Xrie COII-

s t r u e t i o n it main*-, enc.nce.

Supply Flaturjn

Vehicle maintenance e: motor p o l supervisioi for Hq & -Fin Co. Fog oil s~p::ly to SG compzrLies GeLeral supe-rvisior of vehic l s .p- generator a2ixtczzqce i n Bn,

Page 26: RTO, Smoke Generator Operations and Organization...latter pmt of Merch 1945, it was proposed thet other Chemical Worfnre Service troops be converted to smoke generator units to meet

____

IF=””=-””’

G a m p n y . Chemical SmPke Generator Bat ta l ion

Co. Cemsnder Czptain

Forwcxd Echelcr. 1st Lt.

Com”icat ions & rieahter obser-vation personnel

1 Cpl 2 T/54 Fvts or

FfC

4 SG’S, x2 2 Trucks,

2$ t on , b x 6

1st Platoon 1st Lt.

The comp?zy corries a bcsic loo12 of L& hows supply sf fog o i l , gssoline nnrl w c t c r for moke generztor operation i a t i e sqmd trucks. In mti oircraft make nissicix the gcmxctors are opere.%& bn the t rucks & fog o i i rssupply is effected by birt tzlion he;:rlqu.r:rtsrscompzny. I n tactic.?: maks niss ions the geaerntora are placed o r the $rocr.t Tor operr.tion d the squcc trucks are mvnilzble t o mgnent th6 bcttclion hecdqwters c a p m y in mzintainirg oil supply.

-25sqt 45

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. L e t t o r , Hoadquarters European T h e a t e r of Operat ions (Rear:Chomical ' r a r fa re S e c t i o n , 1 7 October 1945, Sub jac t :" T a c t i c a l Employrncnt o f Chemicul Smoke Genesator Companiosn, To: Chemical Officer, Theater Genoral Board

2. U n i t Diary , 23 Chenicnl Saoko Genera to r m t t a l i o n .

3. Reply t o Ques t ionna i r e from: Comnandhg O f f i c o r , 82 Chomical Snoke Generator Company,

4, A f t e r Act ion Repor t , T h i r d US Army, Part 11,Chcnioal TTarfarl:.

5 . Fin o 1 Opera t ions R ~ p o r t ,A r n a v i l l e , France , 84 Chemical Smoke Gonorator Company,

6. Rcpor t on Use of Snoke, Hcndqunrtors European ThOatQr cf Opera t ions , Chemical Warfare S e r v i c e , - undated.

7 . Snokc Opcro t ion o f t h e 74 Chemical Smoke Canorator Conpnny, Hendquartors 27 Chanica l Smoke Generator R a t t n l i o n , 25 Februa ry 1945.

8 . War Departrient Observers Repor t Number 991, Smoke P r o t e c t i o n f o r R ive r Crossings.

9. Repor t of Ssioko Genera to r Opera t ion i n Suppor t of Rhino R i v e r Bri.dgo Cons t ruo t ion , Headquar te rs 23 Chomical Snoko Genorator B a t t a l i o n , 4 M~iy1945 (wi th 4 annexo8 una 2 i n c l o s u r e s ) .

10. Repor t on R o e r River SI" S c r e e n , Schophovcn, Gernnny, 23-24 P c b r u n y 1945, Headquar t e r s 30 I n f a n t r y Div-i s i o n , O f f i c e G f t h o Chcmical O f f i c e r .

11. Repor t of Snake Generator O p c r a t i o n s , 74 Chon ioa l Snoke Gclnerator Company, 9 March 1945,

12. L e t t e r , Hcadquartors 22 Chemical Smoko Gonerator Bot- t o l i o n , APO 758, d a t e d 25 February 1945, Subjec t :"Changes i n T/O and E 3-2669, dated 28 Soptonbcr 1944 f o r Hondquarters and Headquar t e r s D e t a c h " , Chcm-ic a l Smoke Genera tor B u t t a l i o n f f , w i t h 7 indorsomcnts.

13, Nunbor 1121 Gcrmnn Dcvolopmont and M i l i t a r y Us0 o f Infra-Rod Equipment.

14. L e t t e r , Hoadqunrtcrs S e v e n t h Amy, ,1pO 758, da tcd 6 Fob-r u n r y 1945, Subjcot: "Problems of Snokc Gonerator Opera t ions t ' . F i l e : 470.6 - CW, W t h 1 i n c l o s u r c and 7 indor scncn t s .

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ANNEX

E x h i b i t 1 Charts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Proposed Organizationof Smoke Generator Bettalion,